WATCH: Could Marpet's Future be at Center?

Justin Pawlowski

08/13/2015

Ali Marpet seems locked in at guard for 2015, but might he also be the Bucs' long-term answer at center?

Ali Marpet was mostly an unknown to Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans when he was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2015 draft. As a division 3 prospect, the jump to the competition in the NFL could have been overwhelming. So far, Marpet seems to be handling himself just fine.

Currently, Marpet is in a battle to be the Bucs starting right guard. When the first depth chart was released, Garrett Gilkey was penciled in as the starter. If Marpet plays in the preseason games the same way he's played in practice, there's little doubt in my mind that Marpet will be a starter on opening day.

For the time being, Marpet is getting looks at center as well.

"Ali, when you are a young player you don’t know all the things you can do," Lovie Smith said. "It’s about us giving him an opportunity to see what he can handle. Right now, everything we have given him he’s been able to handle it. We are pleased with our young guys.”

Making the leap from left tackle at division 3 Hobart to right guard in the NFL was already a hell of a leap. Putting Marpet full go at center might have just overwhelmed him. For Marpet, a slow transition to center and understanding all of the calls a center has to make may be best for him. He should play guard his rookie season to understand the NFL game, and also start to understand the importance of the center. Once he's more comfortable, the shift to center can take place.

With current center, Evan Smith, costing around $4 million in cap room, and with no guaranteed money on his contract, Marpet could be the Bucs future center, while cutting Smith next off-season could provide the Bucs with some cap relief.

Ali Marpet was mostly an unknown to Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans when he was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2015 draft. As a division 3 prospect, the jump to the competition in the NFL could have been overwhelming. So far, Marpet seems to be handling himself just fine.

\r\n\r\n

Currently, Marpet is in a battle to be the Bucs starting right guard. When the first depth chart was released, Garrett Gilkey was penciled in as the starter. If Marpet plays in the preseason games the same way he's played in practice, there's little doubt in my mind that Marpet will be a starter on opening day.

\r\n\r\n

For the time being, Marpet is getting looks at center as well.

\r\n\r\n

\"Ali, when you are a young player you don’t know all the things you can do,\" Lovie Smith said. \"It’s about us giving him an opportunity to see what he can handle. Right now, everything we have given him he’s been able to handle it. We are pleased with our young guys.”

\r\n\r\n

Making the leap from left tackle at division 3 Hobart to right guard in the NFL was already a hell of a leap. Putting Marpet full go at center might have just overwhelmed him. For Marpet, a slow transition to center and understanding all of the calls a center has to make may be best for him. He should play guard his rookie season to understand the NFL game, and also start to understand the importance of the center. Once he's more comfortable, the shift to center can take place.

\r\n\r\n

With current center, Evan Smith, costing around $4 million in cap room, and with no guaranteed money on his contract, Marpet could be the Bucs future center, while cutting Smith next off-season could provide the Bucs with some cap relief.

Ali Marpet was mostly an unknown to Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans when he was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2015 draft. As a division 3 prospect, the jump to the competition in the NFL could have been overwhelming. So far, Marpet seems to be handling himself just fine.

Currently, Marpet is in a battle to be the Bucs starting right guard. When the first depth chart was released, Garrett Gilkey was penciled in as the starter. If Marpet plays in the preseason games the same way he's played in practice, there's little doubt in my mind that Marpet will be a starter on opening day.

For the time being, Marpet is getting looks at center as well.

\"Ali, when you are a young player you don’t know all the things you can do,\" Lovie Smith said. \"It’s about us giving him an opportunity to see what he can handle. Right now, everything we have given him he’s been able to handle it. We are pleased with our young guys.”

Making the leap from left tackle at division 3 Hobart to right guard in the NFL was already a hell of a leap. Putting Marpet full go at center might have just overwhelmed him. For Marpet, a slow transition to center and understanding all of the calls a center has to make may be best for him. He should play guard his rookie season to understand the NFL game, and also start to understand the importance of the center. Once he's more comfortable, the shift to center can take place.

With current center, Evan Smith, costing around $4 million in cap room, and with no guaranteed money on his contract, Marpet could be the Bucs future center, while cutting Smith next off-season could provide the Bucs with some cap relief.